This might work well for power users, but common users may frustrate out. I do think the classic UI + keyboard driven menu clicks (e.g. ALT+some key combination

This might work well for power users, but common users may frustrate out. I do think the classic UI + keyboard driven menu clicks (e.g. ALT+some key combination) is the best case, where power uses can mostly use key stroke combinations to navigate the menu, while common users can click with a mouse. Whatever the UI it is, being consistent is the most important. But sadly as you said, UI designers need to eat, too.